I went wedding dress shopping

[zoebartlett]

Okay, so I decided to bite the bullet and go shopping by myself, just to see what''s out there for plus-size, petite gals such as myself. Plus size AND petite really IS an oxymoron, isn''t it?

Anyway, the first store I went to is a local dress shop and the sales woman helping me was very nice. She found a bunch of dresses for me to try on -- none of which were bridal gowns. After listening to what I wanted, she steered me towards the Alfred Angelo stuff. There was one particular dress that I really liked the top portion of but I didn''t like the bottom half. It has flutter sleeves and a v-neck. I tried on a dress with ruching (sp?) and it was pretty, although I kind of thought it accentuated my middle (yeah, didn''t want that to happen).

I liked standing on the little pedestals because I could see how the dresses were supposed to hang. The bottoms weren''t dragging or bunched up on the floor like my clothes usually are before I get them hemmed.

I stayed there for abut an hour and then I went to David''s Bridal. Oy-vay! It was a busy Saturday afternoon so the store was pretty busy. I was told when I offered to help the sales assistant carry a dress that, by law (???), I couldn''t touch the dress. Um, okay, whatever. So I tried on three wedding gowns and a few bridesmaids dresses in all. I didn''t know whether to laugh or cry at some points of my outing. A few of the dresses had defective zippers so they wouldn''t close correctly. Although I kept saying that I wanted something simple, I was instructed to put the petticoat on undereath the dresses. That was hysterical. I felt like the Stay-Puf marshallow man! When I asked if the sales assistant could please look for dresses with short sleeves/flutter sleeves, I was told that they don''t really carry them. I could have them put on bridal gowns, but for BM dresses, I was basically SOL.

The thing that really bugged me was the way the sales assistant was almost apologizing and taking pity on me for not having many plus size dresses. She recommended that I call the company (as she does every day, she said) and complain that there just aren''t enough being offered for girls who are bigger.

So, okay, I tried it. I went wedding dress shopping. Next time I''ll definitely bring someone. Nothing was quite right and it wasnt the most positive experience I''ve had, but I''ll be a trooper and go again.

 

[surfgirl]

I went to both David''s and AA and they both had a ton of plus sized dresses when I was there. You should try another location near you...

 

[E B]

zoe,

I''m so sorry your experience wasn''t a pleasant one. Do you have a salon around you that carries Jasmine Bridal? They have an option where you can add sleeves:

Temple Ready Jasmine Bridal

You can choose any length of sleeve, and you can change the neckline, too. I don''t think this is an option for all of their gowns (though I could be wrong), but the selection is large.

They also have a really cute BM dress with little puff sleeves, and it appears to come in white/ivory:

 

[So_happy]

I believe lots of Maggie Sottero gowns have the option to add sleves, too. Beautiful gowns!

 

[Independent Gal]

Yay Zoe!

Keep us posted. I'm sure you'll find a dress that makes you feel every bit as gorgeous as you should. And sorry about the awkward sales lady. People can be so weird.

ETA: I LOVE the dress EBree posted!

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks girls! EBree, thanks for that picture. I just looked at the store locator and they have Jasmine dresses at the shop I went to yesterday. I''ll be going back there soon. I wish you could order dresses to come in but not be obligated to purchase. I do have a few saved to my desktop that I''ll look into. I''ll try to post pics.

 

[zoebartlett]

Here''s one I like. I haven''t tried any of these on but I''ll try to find them in my area. I can''t figure out how to post more than one picture at a time so I''ll post a few more too.

 

[zoebartlett]

Another one.

 

[Independent Gal]

Zoe, the first dress you posted (white with sleeves) is lovely, and I think would be VERY flattering on a petite + bride.

 

[zoebartlett]

..

 

[zoebartlett]

...

 

[zoebartlett]

...

 

[neatfreak]

I REALLY like the first one you posted! But I have to say, I think the others might make you look much older than you are...

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks Neatfreak! THat''s something I''ll have to keep in mind. I definitely don''t want to look matronly or anything. I actually really like the white one with the long jacket. It seems a little more flowy, which I think I''ll like. It looks more comfy tooo. I figured I could opt not to wear the jacket or try to get a shawl to wear with the dress if I didn''t want to go the sleeveless route. Also, keep in mind that the model in the pictures are much taller than I am. If I get things taken up and in (well, maybe not in) to make the dress look more proportionate to me, I was assumng that would make it not look so matronly. Am I wrong in that thinking?

 

[zoebartlett]

Alfred Angelo

 

[zoebartlett]

Alfred Angelo also

 

[zoebartlett]

another alfred angelo

 

[sumbride]

I''m glad the first trip out there wasn''t completely horrible! Check Alfred Angelo''s website for a "company store" near you. If they have one within a couple of hours of you, it''s worth a trip. They have so many sample dresses in all sizes!

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks Summer! I just checked into company stores for AA but unfortunately, there are none around me. There are few in PA, and one sort of near where I''ll be heading at the end of the month for my cousin''s wedding. I might see if I can bring my mom there if we have time. PA (or at least the area we''ll be) is probably an 8 hour drive away. It''s not too convenient for a quick get away but I''ll see if I can make it work while I''m there. Thanks for the tip!

 

[piccolascimmia]

OOh, I love the first two alfred angelos that you posted...i hope you can find a location to try it on at! It makes a huge difference

 

[labbielove]

hey there-
i love the AA gowns you''ve posted, and I can''t remember if it was AA or not (maybe Casablanca?)
but i have seen a bridal gown that was strapless but had a beautiful lace overcoat- full length- buttoned at one button in front-
the lace overlay had long sleeves, and you could definitely leave it on all night if you wanted-

our photographers actually photographed a bride who wore the dress and it looked so pretty-
i''ll look and see if i can find it, in case it may interest you

 

[fatafelice]

I love the AA gown with the blue sash! I hope you can find somewhere to try it!

 

[surfgirl]

Oh...So you saw AA''s but not at an AA Salon? Now I get why you didn''t see them in larger sizes..We have an AA Salon here in my town and they have a ton of larger sizes so if you like their styles, its probably worth calling the closest one to you and seeing if they have the styles you like in your size, or close to your size, before you make the trek...Didn''t David''s have alot to choose from in larger sizes? I thought they had a big selection in sizes above 16?

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 5/13/2007 4:07:34 PM
Author: surfgirl
Oh...So you saw AA''s but not at an AA Salon? Now I get why you didn''t see them in larger sizes..We have an AA Salon here in my town and they have a ton of larger sizes so if you like their styles, its probably worth calling the closest one to you and seeing if they have the styles you like in your size, or close to your size, before you make the trek...Didn''t David''s have alot to choose from in larger sizes? I thought they had a big selection in sizes above 16?

Nope, the dresses I saw weren''t at an AA salon. The closest one to me is in PA -- an 8 hour drive. I think I was a little overwhelmed the first time around so I didn''t think to ask for AA dresses specifically. At the first shop I went to, the sales girl was the one who actually recommended his dresses. We were focusing our search on BM dresses and skipped the wedding gowns altogether. When I went to David''s Bridal, the sales lady said basically that there wasn''t much to choose from in plus sizes, and I didn''t think it mattered who the designer would have been. A few of the things I tried on at David''s had broken zippers, so the dresses weren''t in the best shape.

I''ll go back to both places and now that I know what to expect (it was my first time), it should be a little better.

 

[surfgirl]

zoe, before you go back, go online at both stores and jot down all the styles you like and want to try on. If they dont have them within two sizes of what you wear (which is about 2 sizes up from your street clothes size), then as them if they can get them in from Corporate or another store so you can try on as many as possible when you go there. They should be able to do something like that for you...I know in my David''s catalogue there is a specific plus-size section and most of those dresses are available in regular and plus sizes so I''m sure if you call ahead they can get in what you want to try on...Just a thought so you''re not disappointed again on your next visit!

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 5/13/2007 12:53:02 AM
Author: surfgirl
I went to both David''s and AA and they both had a ton of plus sized dresses when I was there. You should try another location near you...

Yes, they should definitely have quite a few. Did you take one of the bridal dress catalogs when you were there? It helps to be able to see their whole collection before going to the store, and have a list of dresses you want to try on. Also, make an appt, preferably for during the week because it''s always a zoo there on the weekend!

 

[zoebartlett]

I had flipped through a catalogue before leaving for David''s (I had made an appt.) and I had written down a few styles. They didn''t have much but I had better luck (sort of) at a local dress shop. My mom and I went there today after work. She hadn''t gone with me on Saturday. I tried on a few wedding dresses and we decided that they just wouldn''t look right. The guy who was helping me said that AA doesn''t do "hollow to ??" special alterations. I was really counting on that since AA gets recommended so often. Anyway, we came to the conclusion that even if the dress would fit proportionally, I''d still look dwarfed in a gown. I''m only 4"9".

I''m okay with that, actually. I was never really able to picture myself in a traditional wedding dress anyway. So I''m planning on ordering in a few things from department stores and we''ll look into having something made.

This may be too casual but I actually prefer skirts and shirts that come down to my waist or just below instead of dresses. There''s something less flattering about the profile or back view of dresses on me. If there was a light jacket or something to cover up a bit more, I''d be okay with that. My sister didn''t wear a dress at all, so I don''t know what I''m stressing out about. She wore periwinkle flowy pants and a white top, AND birkenstocks. I thought my mom was going to lose it but surprisingly, she was cool about it. That look was completely my sister, whereas I think I''m somewhat more traditional...somwhat.

Thanks again for all your help and suggestions! I truly appreciate it!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 5/13/2007 9:42:51 AM
Author: zoebartlett
Thanks Neatfreak! THat''s something I''ll have to keep in mind. I definitely don''t want to look matronly or anything. I actually really like the white one with the long jacket. It seems a little more flowy, which I think I''ll like. It looks more comfy tooo. I figured I could opt not to wear the jacket or try to get a shawl to wear with the dress if I didn''t want to go the sleeveless route. Also, keep in mind that the model in the pictures are much taller than I am. If I get things taken up and in (well, maybe not in) to make the dress look more proportionate to me, I was assumng that would make it not look so matronly. Am I wrong in that thinking?

I think not wearing the jackets would help a LOT. I really like the later AA''s you posted too. All very pretty!

 

[KimberlyH]

Oh, Zoe, I remember how frustrating it was to shop for dresses, hang in there, I''m sure you''ll find the perfect one for you.

 

[surfgirl]

zoe! I dont know what size you are, but in my wedding shoe thread neat linked me to Nordies Wedding Dept, I didn''t even know they had one...and look what I found..I think on the model it looks fantastic and I think she looks amazing with her curves accentuated in all the right places. I think with the right under garments this could look wonderful! The great thing is it''s not expensive, you can get it NOW and check it out ASAP, and it''s totally returnable! Just a thought...I know you were bummed about your latest dress experiences and I saw this and thought of you!